Shebaa () is a municipality on the south-eastern tip of Lebanon. It has a largely Sunni Muslim population of 25,000 people. It is situated at an altitude of approximately above sea level, spreading across two steep rocky mountainsides. It lies adjacent to the Lebanese claimed but Israeli occupied Shebaa farms—which sit between the town and the Golan Heights. Before 1967, residents of Shebaa farmed in the disputed Shebaa farms territory.
History
In 1838, Eli Smith noted Shebaa's population as being Sunni Muslim and Greek Orthodox Christians.Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 138
Following the 1982 Lebanon War, Shebaa became part of Israel’s security zone with Norwegian soldiers from UNIFIL stationed in the area. On one night in late January 1989, the Israeli backed SLA expelled 40 villagers, ordering them not to return. This brought the total over a period of several months to around 80. In the words of the UNIFIL spokesperson those expelled were “mostly women and children”.Middle East International No 346, 17 March 1989, Publishers Lord Mayhew, Dennis Walters MP; Jim Muir p.8 Israel withdrew from South Lebanon, including the town of Shebaa, in 2000.
As of 2025, the town housed 4,500 Syrian refugees.
Demographics In 2014, Muslims made up 96.96% and Christians made up 2.89% of registered voters in Shebaa. 92.99% of the voters were Sunni Muslims. The Christian population is mostly Greek Orthodox.
Educational establishments Educational establishments Chebaa (Hasbaiya) (2005–2006) Lebanon (2005–2006) Number of schools 4 2788 Public schools 2 1763 Private schools 2 1025 Students in public schools 435 439905 Students in private schools 145 471409
References
Bibliography
External links Localliban: Centre de resource sur le developpement local: www.localiban.org